Pump control for reformate fuel storage tank

ABSTRACT

Various systems and methods are described for a controlling a flow of reformate fuel in a fuel system which includes a reformer and a storage tank coupled to an engine in a vehicle. The system includes a pump located between the reformer and the storage tank that is selectively operated in order to reduce parasitic losses on the system.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present application relates to storing a gaseous fuel generated in areformer for use in an internal combustion engine.

BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY

An ethanol reformer can be used to convert ethanol into a reformate gas(e.g., a gaseous fuel) that has favorable properties for combustion inan internal combustion engine. For example, nitrogen oxide (e.g.,NO_(x)) emissions may be reduced and engine efficiency may be improvedwith the use of reformate fuel. The reformer may not be able toconstantly supply a desired amount of reformate to the engine, however;therefore, a storage tank may be utilized to store the reformate afterit is generated and before it is injected to the engine.

In order to store a large amount of the reformate while minimizing thesize and weight of the storage tank, the reformate can be stored at highpressure. The operating pressure of the reformer may be low incomparison to the high pressure of the storage tank, however, andtransfer of the reformate to the storage tank may be difficult undersome circumstances. As such, a pump may be used to facilitate transferof the reformate from the reformer to the storage tank. Use of the pump,however, can impose a parasitic loss on the system which can causedegradation in fuel efficiency, for example.

The inventors herein have recognized the above issues and have devisedan approach to at least partially address them. Thus, a method for afuel system including a reformer and a storage tank coupled to an enginein a vehicle is disclosed. The method comprises, generating a gaseousfuel in the reformer; under a first condition, opening a valve totransfer the gaseous fuel from the reformer to the storage tank; and,under a second condition, operating a pump to transfer the gaseous fuelfrom the reformer to the storage tank.

In one example, the valve is opened when a pressure in the reformer isgreater than a pressure in the storage tank. Further, an engineoperating condition, such as spark timing, may be adjusted while thevalve is open to further increase the pressure in the reformer andfacilitate the transfer of reformate (e.g., gaseous fuel) from thereformer to the storage tank. When the pressure in the storage tank isgreater than the pressure in the reformer, however, the pump may beutilized to transfer reformate to the storage tank.

By opening a valve to transfer reformate to the storage tank whenpressure in the storage tank is low, operation of the pump may bereduced thereby reducing parasitic losses on the system, while stillachieving transfer and storage of increased reformate in the storagetank. As such, a smaller tank may be used to store a larger amount ofthe reformate at high pressure without significantly reducing systemefficiency.

It should be understood that the summary above is provided to introducein simplified form a selection of concepts that are further described inthe detailed description. It is not meant to identify key or essentialfeatures of the claimed subject matter, the scope of which is defineduniquely by the claims that follow the detailed description.Furthermore, the claimed subject matter is not limited toimplementations that solve any disadvantages noted above or in any partof this disclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a schematic diagram of an engine including a reformer.

FIG. 2 shows a flow chart illustrating a routine for controlling flow ofa reformate fuel.

FIG. 3 shows a flow chart illustrating a routine for determining whichconditions to use in the routine of FIG. 2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following description relates to a method for controlling transferof a gaseous fuel (e.g., reformate fuel) from a reformer to a storagetank based on pressures in the reformer and storage tank. In oneexample, a pump is utilized to transfer gaseous fuel from the reformerto the storage tank under conditions in which the pressure in thereformer is less than the pressure in the storage tank. When thepressure in the reformer is greater than the pressure in the storagetank, a valve may be opened to allow transfer of the gaseous fuel to thestorage tank. Furthermore, in some examples, an engine operatingparameter such as spark timing may be adjusted (e.g., retarded) whilethe valve is open to increase the pressure in the reformer to furtherassist the flow of gaseous fuel to the storage tank. Thus, use of thepump to transfer gaseous fuel to the storage tank may be reducedresulting in a reduction of parasitic losses on the system.

Referring to FIG. 1, internal combustion engine 10 comprising aplurality of cylinders, one cylinder of which is shown in FIG. 1, iscontrolled by electronic engine controller 12. Engine 10 includescombustion chamber 30 and cylinder walls 32 with piston 36 positionedtherein and connected to crankshaft 40. Combustion chamber 30 is showncommunicating with intake manifold 44 and exhaust manifold 48 viarespective intake valve 52 and exhaust valve 54. Each intake and exhaustvalve may be operated by an intake cam 51 and an exhaust cam 53.Alternatively, one or more of the intake and exhaust valves may beoperated by an electromechanically controlled valve coil and armatureassembly. The position of intake cam 51 may be determined by intake camsensor 55. The position of exhaust cam 53 may be determined by exhaustcam sensor 57.

Intake manifold 44 is also shown coupled to the engine cylinder havingfuel injector 66 coupled thereto for delivering liquid fuel inproportion to the pulse width of signal FPW from controller 12. Fuel isdelivered to fuel injector 66 by a fuel system including fuel tank 91,fuel pump (not shown), fuel lines (not shown), and fuel rail (notshown). The engine 10 of FIG. 1 is configured such that the fuel isinjected directly into the engine cylinder, which is known to thoseskilled in the art as direct injection. Alternatively, liquid fuel maybe port injected. Fuel injector 66 is supplied operating current fromdriver 68 which responds to controller 12. In addition, intake manifold44 is shown communicating with optional electronic throttle 64. In oneexample, a low pressure direct injection system may be used, where fuelpressure can be raised to approximately 20-30 bar. Alternatively, a highpressure, dual stage, fuel system may be used to generate higher fuelpressures.

Gaseous fuel may be injected to intake manifold 44 by way of fuelinjector 89. In another embodiment, gaseous fuel may be directlyinjected into cylinder 30. Gaseous fuel is supplied to fuel injector 89from storage tank 93 by way of pump 96 and check valve 82. Pump 96pressurizes gaseous fuel supplied from fuel reformer 97 in storage tank93. Check valve 82 limits flow of gaseous fuel from storage tank 93 tofuel reformer 97 when the output of pump 96 is at a lower pressure thanstorage tank 93. In some embodiments, check valve 82 may be positionedupstream of pump 96. In other embodiments, check valve 82 may bepositioned in parallel with pump 96. Further, check valve 82 may insteadbe an actively controlled valve. In such an embodiment, the activelycontrolled valve would be opened when the pump is operating. The controlsignal to pump 96 may be a simple on/off signal, for example. In otherexamples, the control signal may be a continuous variable voltage,current, pulsewidth, desired speed, or desired flowrate, etc. Further,pump 96 may be turned off, slowed down, or disabled with one or morebypass valves (not shown).

Fuel reformer 97 includes catalyst 72 and may further include optionalelectrical heater 98 for reforming alcohol supplied from fuel tank 91.Fuel reformer 97 is shown coupled to the exhaust system downstream ofcatalyst 70 and exhaust manifold 48. However, fuel reformer 97 may becoupled to exhaust manifold 48 and located upstream of catalyst 70. Fuelreformer 97 may use exhaust heat to drive an endothermic dehydrogenationof alcohol supplied by fuel tank 91 and to promote fuel reformation.

Distributorless ignition system 88 provides an ignition spark tocombustion chamber 30 via spark plug 92 in response to controller 12.Universal Exhaust Gas Oxygen (UEGO) sensor 126 is shown coupled toexhaust manifold 48 upstream of catalytic converter 70. Alternatively, atwo-state exhaust gas oxygen sensor may be substituted for UEGO sensor126.

Converter 70 can include multiple catalyst bricks, in one example. Inanother example, multiple emission control devices, each with multiplebricks, can be used. Converter 70 can be a three-way type catalyst inone example.

Controller 12 is shown in FIG. 1 as a conventional microcomputerincluding: microprocessor unit 102, input/output ports 104, read-onlymemory 106, random access memory 108, keep alive memory 110, and aconventional data bus. Controller 12 is shown receiving various signalsfrom sensors coupled to engine 10, in addition to those signalspreviously discussed, including: engine coolant temperature (ECT) fromtemperature sensor 112 coupled to cooling sleeve 114; a position sensor134 coupled to an accelerator pedal 130 for sensing force applied byfoot 132; a measurement of engine manifold pressure (MAP) from pressuresensor 122 coupled to intake manifold 44; an engine position sensor froma Hall effect sensor 118 sensing crankshaft 40 position; a measurementof reformer tank pressure from pressure sensor 85; a measurement ofreformer tank temperature from temperature sensor 87; a measurement ofair mass entering the engine from sensor 120; and a measurement ofthrottle position from sensor 62. Barometric pressure may also be sensed(sensor not shown) for processing by controller 12. In a preferredaspect of the present description, engine position sensor 118 produces apredetermined number of equally spaced pulses every revolution of thecrankshaft from which engine speed (RPM) can be determined.

In some embodiments, the engine may be coupled to an electricmotor/battery system in a hybrid vehicle. The hybrid vehicle may have aparallel configuration, series configuration, or variation orcombinations thereof.

During operation, each cylinder within engine 10 typically undergoes afour stroke cycle: the cycle includes the intake stroke, compressionstroke, expansion stroke, and exhaust stroke. During the intake stroke,generally, the exhaust valve 54 closes and intake valve 52 opens. Air isintroduced into combustion chamber 30 via intake manifold 44, and piston36 moves to the bottom of the cylinder so as to increase the volumewithin combustion chamber 30. The position at which piston 36 is nearthe bottom of the cylinder and at the end of its stroke (e.g., whencombustion chamber 30 is at its largest volume) is typically referred toby those of skill in the art as bottom dead center (BDC). During thecompression stroke, intake valve 52 and exhaust valve 54 are closed.Piston 36 moves toward the cylinder head so as to compress the airwithin combustion chamber 30. The point at which piston 36 is at the endof its stroke and closest to the cylinder head (e.g., when combustionchamber 30 is at its smallest volume) is typically referred to by thoseof skill in the art as top dead center (TDC). In a process hereinafterreferred to as injection, fuel is introduced into the combustionchamber. In a process hereinafter referred to as ignition, the injectedfuel is ignited by known ignition means such as spark plug 92, resultingin combustion. During the expansion stroke, the expanding gases pushpiston 36 back to BDC. Crankshaft 40 converts piston movement into arotational torque of the rotary shaft. Finally, during the exhauststroke, the exhaust valve 54 opens to release the combusted air-fuelmixture to exhaust manifold 48 and the piston returns to TDC. Note thatthe above is shown merely as an example, and that intake and exhaustvalve opening and/or closing timings may vary, such as to providepositive or negative valve overlap, late intake valve closing, orvarious other examples.

In one embodiment, the stop/start crank position sensor has both zerospeed and bi-directional capability. In some applications abi-directional Hall sensor may be used, in others the magnets may bemounted to the target. Magnets may be placed on the target and the“missing tooth gap” can potentially be eliminated if the sensor iscapable of detecting a change in signal amplitude (e.g., use a strongeror weaker magnet to locate a specific position on the wheel). Further,using a bi-directional Hall sensor or equivalent, the engine positionmay be maintained through shut-down, but during re-start an alternativestrategy may be used to assure that the engine is rotating in a forwarddirection.

Continuing now to FIG. 2, a routine 200 for controlling the flow ofgaseous fuel between a reformer and a storage tank is shown.Specifically, routine 200 controls the operation of a pump based on thepressures in the reformer and the storage tank. For example, if thepressure in the reformer is greater than the pressure in the storagetank, the pump may be turned off. In this manner, use of the pump may bereduced thereby reducing parasitic losses on the system and increasingthe efficiency of the reformer.

At 210 of routine 200, operating parameters are determined. Theseoperating parameters may include current, estimated, and/or rates ofchange of the pressure in the reformer (P_(r)) and the pressure in thestorage tank (P_(st)). The pressures may be determined by pressuresensors positioned in the reformer and the storage tank, for example. Insome embodiments, the pressures may be estimated based on rates ofethanol injection into the reformer, reformate injection from thestorage tank to the engine, temperatures inside the reformer and storagetank, etc. Alternatively, in other embodiments, a parameter other thanpressure may be used, such as estimated mass or moles inside thereformer and/or the storage tank. An example method for determiningwhich pressure value (current, estimated, or rate of change) isdescribed later with reference to FIG. 3.

Once the pressures are determined, routine 200 proceeds to 212 where itis determined if the pressure in the reformer is greater than a firstset of pressure conditions for the reformer. The pressure conditions mayinclude a threshold pressure for each of the current and estimatedpressure values, for example. In another example, the pressureconditions may include a threshold rate of change of the pressure in thereformer. The threshold pressure may be a value close to a maximumallowable pressure in the reformer, for example. In some examples, thethreshold pressure may be a function of various temperatures (e.g.,exhaust gas temperature, temperature inside the reformer, etc.), age ofthe system, detected degradation of the system, etc.

If it is determined that pressure in the reformer is greater than thefirst set of pressure conditions, routine 200 moves to 226 where ethanolinjection to the reformer is suspended and the pump is turned on, orpump operation is increased if the pump is already on. Without theinjection of ethanol into the reformer, the reaction which generates thereformate fuel is inhibited. As such, the pressure in the reformer maynot continue to increase. Moreover, turning the pump on allows reformateto be removed from the reformer and transferred to the storage tank,thereby further decreasing the pressure in the reformer.

After the injection of ethanol to the reformer is suspended, it isdetermined if the pressure in the reformer is greater than the pressurein the storage tank at 228. For example, the storage tank may only bestoring a small amount of reformate, thus the pressure in the storagetank may be low. If the pressure in the reformer is greater than thepressure in the storage tank, reformate can flow to the storage tankwithout assistance from the pump and the valve is opened at 232. If thepressure in the reformer is less than the pressure in the storage tank,the valve is closed at 230 of routine 200. In this example, the valve isopened or maintained in the open position while the pump is operating tomaximize the flow of reformate from the reformer in order to quicklyreduce the pressure in the reformer below the threshold value.

If it is determined that the pressure in the reformer is not greaterthan the first set of pressure conditions for the reformer at 212,routine 200 continues to 214 where it is determined if the pressure inthe storage tank is greater than a first set of pressure conditions forthe storage tank. The pressure conditions may include a thresholdpressure for each of the current and estimated pressures in the storagetank, for example. As another example, the pressure conditions mayinclude a threshold rate of change of the pressure in the reformer. Forexample, when reformate generation exceeds consumption by the engine,pressures can increase in the reformer and storage tank. As describedabove, the threshold pressure may be a value close to a maximumallowable pressure in the storage tank, for example. In some examples,the threshold pressure may be based on factors such varioustemperatures, the size of the storage tank, the age of the storage tank,detected degradation of the storage tank, etc.

If it is determined that the pressure in the storage tank exceeds thefirst set of pressure conditions, routine 200 moves to 234 where ethanolinjection to the reformer is reduced or suspended, the pump operation isreduced or the pump is turned off, and reformate injection to the engineis increased (or commenced if not previously injecting). In this manner,the pressure in the storage tank can be quickly reduced.

Depending on various operating conditions, in some examples only one ortwo of the above actions may be taken to relieve the pressure in thestorage tank. For example, if reformate production is low and the rateof change of pressure in the reformer is small, ethanol injection maynot be suspended. Instead, the pump may be turned off and reformateinjection to the engine may be increased. In such an example, an amountof reformate injection to the engine may be less than an example inwhich the pressure or rate of pressure increase in the reformer is high.For example, if the pressure in the reformer is near a thresholdpressure and pumping from the reformer to the storage tank is notreduced or suspended, a greater amount of reformate may be injected tothe engine in order to relieve the pressure in the storage tank.

On the other hand, if the pressure in the storage tank is less than thefirst set of pressure conditions, routine 200 proceeds to 216 where itis determined if the storage tank is full. If the storage tank is full,the tank may not efficiently hold additional reformate. As such, thepump is turned off or pump operation is reduced and ethanol injection tothe reformer is suspended or reduced at 236. If it is determined thatthe storage tank is not full and the tank can hold more reformate,routine 200 continues to 218.

At 218 of routine 200, it is determined if the pressure in the reformeris greater than a second set of pressure conditions for the reformer,such as a desired current, estimated, or rate of change of the pressure.Similar to the threshold pressure, the second set of pressure conditionsmay be based on various temperatures (e.g., exhaust gas), age of thereformer, detected degradation of the reformer, etc. If the pressure inthe reformer is greater than desired, pumping from the reformer to thestorage tank may be increased at 238. For example, if the pump isalready on, the rate of pumping may be increased and, if the pump isoff, the pump may be turned on. In some embodiments in which the vehicleis a hybrid vehicle and the pump is an electric pump, for example, theamount of pump increase may be small if the state of charge of thebattery is low and the amount of pump increase may be greater if thestate of charge is high and there is more energy available. As anotherexample, pumping may be increased a greater amount in a situation inwhich the rate of change of pressure in the reformer is high compared toa situation in which the rate of change of pressure is low.

If it is determined that the current, estimated, and/or rate of changeof pressure in the reformer are less than desired, routine 200 continuesto 220 where the pump is turned off or reduced. By turning off the pump,removal of reformate from the reformer is suspended and the rate ofchange of pressure in the reformer may decrease and, in some examples,pressure in the reformer may not decrease further.

At 222 of routine 200, it is determined if the pressure in the reformeris greater than or equal to the pressure in the storage tank. Forexample, the amount of reformate stored in the storage tank may be smallresulting in a lower pressure in the tank and a greater possibility fortransferring reformate to the storage tank via the valve. If thepressure in the reformer is less than the pressure in the storage tank,routine 200 proceeds to 224 and the valve is closed.

On the other hand, if it is determined that the pressure in the reformeris greater than or equal to the pressure in the storage tank, routine200 of FIG. 2 moves to 240 where the valve is opened. As describedabove, once the valve is open, reformate can flow from the reformer tothe storage tank.

Once the valve is open, routine 200 proceeds to 242 where an engineoperating parameter may be adjusted. Adjusting an engine operatingparameter may assist in increasing the pressure in the reformer therebyassisting the flow of reformate from the reformer to the storage tank.In one example, the engine operating parameter may be sparking timingand the sparking timing may be retarded. For example, retarding sparktiming in at least one cylinder of the engine may increase thetemperature of the exhaust gas. Because the reformer relies on heat fromthe exhaust gas, an increase in exhaust gas temperature may increase therate of reaction in the reformer leading to an increase in pressure inthe reformer.

As described above, the pump can be selectively operated based on thecurrent, estimated, or rates of change of pressures in the reformer andstorage tank. By utilizing other ways of transferring reformate fuelfrom the reformer to the storage tank and only using the pump underselected conditions, such as when the pressure in the reformer isgreater than a threshold pressure, parasitic losses on the system may bereduced and the efficiency of the system may be maintained or increased.

Referring to FIG. 3, a routine 300 for determining whether to usecurrent or predicted operating parameters in the routine of FIG. 2 isshown. Specifically, routine 300 decides whether to use current orpredicted operating parameters based on current operating conditions ofthe engine and reformer.

At 310 of routine 300, engine and reformer operating conditions aredetermined. Engine operating conditions may include engine load andexhaust temperature, for example. Reformer operating conditions mayinclude reformer temperature, rate of reformate generation, etc.

Once the operating conditions are determined, routine 300 proceeds to312 where it is determined if the current engine operating conditionsare likely to impact the reformer operating conditions. For example, ifcurrent engine conditions are causing the reformer conditions to changerapidly, routine 300 moves to 316 where predicted operating parametersare used. In such an example, fluctuating conditions in the reformer maycause the pressure in the reformer to fluctuate. As such, using anestimated value of the pressure or a rate of change of the pressureduring a predetermined period may allow routine 200 in FIG. 2 to becarried out more efficiently than using the current pressure in thereformer.

As another example, if the engine is currently under high load but theexhaust gas has not yet heated up, it may be preferable to estimate whatthe pressure in the reformer will be once the exhaust gas has heated up.In this manner, pump operation may be reduced or suspended instead ofincreased or commenced, which may occur if a current value of thepressure is used, and energy may be conserved, for example. Thus,routine 300 moves to 316 and a predicted operating parameter is used.

In contrast, if conditions in the reformer are steady and engineoperating conditions are not likely to significantly change them,routine 300 moves to 314 and a current operating parameter is used.

Thus, by deciding whether to use a current or predicted operatingparameter in routine 300, the efficiency of routine 200 of FIG. 2 may bemaximized.

Note that the example control and estimation routines included hereincan be used with various engine and/or vehicle system configurations.The specific routines described herein may represent one or more of anynumber of processing strategies such as event-driven, interrupt-driven,multi-tasking, multi-threading, and the like. As such, various acts,operations, or functions illustrated may be performed in the sequenceillustrated, in parallel, or in some cases omitted. Likewise, the orderof processing is not necessarily required to achieve the features andadvantages of the example embodiments described herein, but is providedfor ease of illustration and description. One or more of the illustratedacts or functions may be repeatedly performed depending on theparticular strategy being used. Further, the described acts maygraphically represent code to be programmed into the computer readablestorage medium in the engine control system.

It will be appreciated that the configurations and routines disclosedherein are exemplary in nature, and that these specific embodiments arenot to be considered in a limiting sense, because numerous variationsare possible. For example, the above technology can be applied to V-6,I-4, I-6, V-12, opposed 4, and other engine types. The subject matter ofthe present disclosure includes all novel and nonobvious combinationsand subcombinations of the various systems and configurations, and otherfeatures, functions, and/or properties disclosed herein.

The following claims particularly point out certain combinations andsubcombinations regarded as novel and nonobvious. These claims may referto “an” element or “a first” element or the equivalent thereof. Suchclaims should be understood to include incorporation of one or more suchelements, neither requiring nor excluding two or more such elements.Other combinations and subcombinations of the disclosed features,functions, elements, and/or properties may be claimed through amendmentof the present claims or through presentation of new claims in this or arelated application.

Such claims, whether broader, narrower, equal, or different in scope tothe original claims, also are regarded as included within the subjectmatter of the present disclosure.

1. A method for a fuel system including a reformer and a storage tankcoupled to an engine in a vehicle, comprising: generating a gaseous fuelin the reformer; under a first condition, opening a valve to transferthe gaseous fuel from the reformer to the storage tank withoutassistance from a pump; and under a second condition, operating the pumpto transfer the gaseous fuel from the reformer to the storage tank. 2.The method of claim 1, wherein the first condition includes when apressure in the storage tank is less than a pressure in the reformer. 3.The method of claim 1, wherein the second condition includes when apressure in the reformer is greater than a threshold value.
 4. Themethod of claim 3, wherein the pump is turned off when an amount ofgaseous fuel in the storage tank reaches a maximum.
 5. The method ofclaim 1, further comprising increasing injection of the gaseous fuelfrom the storage tank to the engine when a pressure in the storage tankis greater than a threshold pressure.
 6. The method of claim 1, whereinthe gaseous fuel is derived from alcohol, and the gaseous fuel isinjected to a cylinder of the engine in addition to a second fuel. 7.The method of claim 1, further comprising, under a third condition inwhich a pressure in the reformer is greater than a threshold pressureand the pressure in the reformer is greater than a pressure in thestorage tank, opening the valve and operating the pump to transfergaseous fuel to the storage tank.
 8. A method for a reformer and astorage tank coupled to a vehicle engine, comprising: generating agaseous fuel in the reformer; under a first condition, opening a valveto flow the gaseous fuel from the reformer to the storage tank whileretarding spark timing in an engine cylinder to increase the flow; andunder a second condition, operating a pump to transfer the gaseous fuelfrom the reformer to the storage tank.
 9. A method for a fuel systemincluding a reformer and a storage tank coupled to an engine in avehicle, comprising: generating a gaseous fuel in the reformer; under afirst condition, opening a valve to transfer the gaseous fuel from thereformer to the storage tank without assistance from a pump, andadjusting an engine operating parameter to facilitate a flow of gaseousfuel from the reformer to the storage tank when the valve is open; andunder a second condition, operating the pump to transfer the gaseousfuel from the reformer to the storage tank.
 10. The method of claim 9,wherein the first condition includes when a pressure in the reformer isgreater than a pressure in the storage tank.
 11. The method of claim 9,wherein the second condition includes when a pressure in the reformerexceeds a threshold pressure, and the pump is turned off when a pressurein the storage tank exceeds a threshold value.
 12. The method of claim9, further comprising, under a third condition, opening the valve andoperating the pump to transfer gaseous fuel to the storage tank, whereinthe third condition includes when a pressure in the reformer exceeds athreshold pressure and a pressure in the storage tank is less than thepressure in the reformer.
 13. The method of claim 9, further comprising,when a pressure in the storage tank exceeds a threshold pressure,increasing injection of the gaseous fuel from the storage tank to atleast one cylinder of the engine.
 14. A method for a fuel systemincluding a reformer and a storage tank coupled to an engine in avehicle, comprising: generating a gaseous fuel in the reformer; under afirst condition, opening a valve to transfer the gaseous fuel from thereformer to the storage tank without pump assistance, and retarding aspark timing to increase a flow of gaseous fuel from the reformer to thestorage tank; and under a second condition, operating a pump to transferthe gaseous fuel from the reformer to the storage tank.
 15. A system foran engine in a vehicle, comprising: a reformer; a storage tank whichstores a gaseous fuel generated by the reformer; a pump positionedbetween the reformer and the storage tank; a valve positioned betweenthe reformer and the storage tank; and a control system comprising acomputer readable storage medium, the medium comprising instructionsfor: under a first condition, opening the valve to transfer the gaseousfuel from the reformer to the storage tank without assistance from thepump, and adjusting an engine operating parameter to facilitate a flowof gaseous fuel from the reformer to the storage tank when the valve isopen; under a second condition, operating the pump to transfer thegaseous fuel from the reformer to the storage tank; and under a thirdcondition, opening the valve and operating the pump to transfer thegaseous fuel to the storage tank with assistance from the pump.
 16. Thesystem of claim 15, wherein the third condition includes when a pressurein the storage tank exceeds a threshold pressure.
 17. The system ofclaim 15, wherein the gaseous fuel is injected to the engine in additionto a second fuel, and the gaseous fuel is derived from alcohol.
 18. Thesystem of claim 15, further comprising instructions for increasinginjection of the gaseous fuel to the engine when a pressure in thestorage tank exceeds a threshold pressure.
 19. The system of claim 15,wherein the first, second, and third conditions are predicted conditionsbased on estimated values or rates of change detected during apredetermined period.
 20. A system for an engine in a vehicle,comprising: a reformer; a storage tank which stores a gaseous fuelgenerated by the reformer; a pump positioned between the reformer andthe storage tank; a valve positioned between the reformer and thestorage tank; and a control system comprising a computer readablestorage medium, the medium comprising instructions for: under a firstcondition, when a pressure in the reformer is greater than a pressure inthe storage tank, opening the valve to transfer the gaseous fuel fromthe reformer to the storage tank without assistance from the pump, andadjusting an engine operating parameter to facilitate a flow of gaseousfuel from the reformer to the storage tank when the valve is open; andunder a second condition, when the pressure in the reformer is greaterthan a threshold pressure, operating the pump to transfer the gaseousfuel from the reformer to the storage tank; and under a third condition,opening the valve and operating the pump to transfer the gaseous fuel tothe storage tank.